Chapter 175

Cao Yang announced he would return to China in three days, and Fox Searchlight really couldn't sit still.

They contacted Cao Yang again, saying they wanted to buy the film adaptation rights for 'Zhu Nuo'.

Then let's set a time to talk.

To show their importance, Fox Searchlight sent their production department manager and a vice president of the company.

Regarding the film adaptation rights, Cao Yang put forward several requirements:

First, sell the film adaptation rights for 'Zhu Nuo' to Fox Searchlight once, and it must be launched and filmed within one year, otherwise the adaptation rights will be unconditionally reclaimed.

Second, the film must be released within two years, otherwise it is a breach of contract, and not only will the adaptation rights be reclaimed, but there will also be corresponding liquidated damages.

Third, the script adaptation cannot deviate from the main plot of the novel.

If it is the above conditions, Cao Yang only collects 15% of the global box office and the profit-sharing of the film's subsequent peripherals, as the copyright fee.

Another option is, one and two remain unchanged, Cao Yang can write the script and be credited as a producer or executive producer.

If this is chosen, Cao Yang will collect 20% of the global box office and the profit-sharing of the film's subsequent peripherals.

This film has neither big scenes nor special effects, and it doesn't even need to hire big-name actors, and the production cost is also very low.

The risk borne by Fox Searchlight is not great, and Cao Yang thinks they shouldn't refuse.

Fox Searchlight still wanted to bargain, but was directly refused by Cao Yang.

"Gentlemen, I am returning to China the day after tomorrow. Before that, I still have to audition and cast for the new film, and I don't have time to waste here talking with you, so this is my bottom line. Two choices, not harsh, you can also choose to refuse."

Looking at the two high-level executives of Fox Searchlight, Cao Yang continues.

"I think you should have noticed that the sales of my second novel are very good, with a large base of young groups, all of which have the potential to be converted into film audiences.

Furthermore, 'Zhu Nuo' is a very controversial story, so controversy will cause widespread discussion, which is probably the reason you value it."

The two high-level executives of Fox Searchlight look at each other; this condition is a bit beyond their expectations. Their bottom line is 13%, and Cao Yang has to be the executive producer.

Simply put, they want to use Cao Yang's current popularity to promote this film and add another layer of insurance to the film.

But Cao Yang just won the Oscar for Best Screenplay; if he writes the script himself, it is also a big promotional gimmick.

It can be considered, but they can't agree immediately.

Therefore, they said they would go back to the company to discuss and would give Cao Yang an answer as soon as possible.

Cao Yang naturally has no opinion; for him, it doesn't matter if it can be sold or not. He values the two numbers of 15% and 20%.

This thing is a "precedent". With this, the next time he negotiates other adaptations, there will be "traces" to follow, and others will also consider this point.

Regarding the casting of 'District 9', the lead actor has already been set as Depp, and the commander will choose a Chinese person, which Cao Yang is directly responsible for.

For the remaining three main roles, one is the lead actor's father-in-law, just let Columbia choose. Depp's 60% discount on salary makes the budget more abundant, so he should be able to find a golden supporting actor with good fame.

Another is the leader among the aliens who has thoughts. Originally, Columbia wanted to use all computer special effects and then find someone to dub.

However, after discussing with Cao Yang, they felt that using headgear combined with computer special effects would be faster and save more money.

Then just make a mold and do it.

And this way, they have to hire an actor specifically, and although he doesn't show his face, he can be considered one of the lead actors.

So Cao Yang took the opportunity to ask for this role, preparing to find an actor in China—don't look at the fact that he doesn't show his face, but as one of the nominal lead actors, it is absolutely popular.

Columbia naturally has no objection; for a role that doesn't show his face, for them, it doesn't matter who they find.

There is also a gang leader. Since this is a film reflecting racial discrimination, of course, it can't be without black uncles, and the gang leader is very suitable.

It's not as exaggerated as later generations now, where many films have black people as villains.

This gang leader actually doesn't count as a villain; he even saved the lead actor, although his purpose was impure.

Cao Yang also wanted to go to Johannesburg, South Africa to film at the beginning. Filming there is both cheap and can be shot on location, but considering the chaotic state there, he was a bit hesitant for a moment.

In his mind, the story can be set in South Africa, but it doesn't have to be filmed there.

Just like his several films, the story is set in Hong Kong, but he never went there to film.

Europe, especially Eastern Europe, has some places that are very suitable.

Additionally, North Africa, which is close to Europe, is also fine.

After Columbia knew Cao Yang's concerns, they told him to rest assured. South Africa ended the apartheid system as early as 1994 and is now relatively stable.

Furthermore, Columbia has partners in South Africa with great power, so there is no need to worry about safety issues.

They also persuaded Cao Yang that for a world-class big director like him to go to the local area to film a movie, the local government would only welcome and protect him and would absolutely not create any trouble.

And they would absolutely not allow any trouble to appear.

Alright, Cao Yang really doesn't know about South Africa.

But there are people who know.

This year's Oscar Best Actress, Charlize Theron, took the initiative to chat with Cao Yang for a while at the Oscar banquet and exchanged contact information.

Charlize Theron's father is French and her mother is German; she was born in South Africa and grew up there, so she should be very knowledgeable about South Africa. Therefore, Cao Yang called Theron to ask about things in South Africa, mainly regarding safety.

He doesn't want to be held hostage and extorted by gangs there.

In a chaotic and disorderly country, anything can really happen.

"Your new film wants to go to South Africa for location shooting?"

"Yes, there is a relevant plot in the film, and going there for location shooting is more realistic," Cao Yang replied.

"Rest assured, the public security there is quite good now, especially in Johannesburg; you don't need to worry too much."

Charlize Theron replied with a smile on the other end of the phone: "Additionally, because I won the Oscar for Best Actress, President Mandela called me personally to invite me to return to the country to promote the film and will also meet with me.

At that time, I can tell him about this matter. With a world-class big director going to South Africa to film a movie, I presume he will also be very happy and will very likely issue an invitation to you personally."

"Mandela?"

Cao Yang is a bit confused; isn't he no longer the president of South Africa?

!

Charlize Theron solved Cao Yang's confusion in one sentence.

"The current president of South Africa, Mbeki, has been serving as Mandela's deputy for many years."

Alright, understood.

Finally, Theron asked jokingly, "Director Cao Yang, since your new film is about South Africa, as a South African, is there a suitable role? I can make a cameo."

Afterward, she added with a smile, "My salary is quite high now, but rest assured, if it's just a cameo, I can do it for free, no money."

It's very obvious she is currying favor; even if she won Best Actress, in front of a big director, she still must lower her posture.

Cao Yang thinks for a moment, and there really is a role, with very few scenes and not much screen time, which is the lead actor's wife.

He originally wanted to find Anne Hathaway to make a cameo, but Charlize Theron is of course better.

Hey, this way, the film has gathered the new Oscar Best Actor and Best Actress, which is also a big promotional gimmick.

It's a pity that Mark Ruffalo, this Oscar Best Supporting Actor, is too young, otherwise letting him play the lead actor's father-in-law would have even more promotional advantages.

Before Cao Yang returned to China, Columbia determined the actors for the two roles with significant scenes, the lead actor's father-in-law and the gang leader, at an extremely fast speed.

The gang leader was chosen as Samuel L. Jackson, the one known as the M-F-er, the director of S. H. I. E. L. D. in the Avengers.

Don't look at the fact that he was nominated for the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in '95 and won the Berlin Best Actor at the 48th Berlin Film Festival in '98, but his salary is really cheap.

If this were casually replaced by a white actor with this achievement, the salary would be at least 5 million, but this guy's current salary is only 1 million.

Americans are the kind who shout that there can be no racial discrimination and hold affirmative action movements from time to time... but in actual life, discrimination is everywhere, which is to say it's just not shouted out; it has long been an unspoken thing.

You have to know that Samuel L. Jackson had already appeared in many hit films before '04.

Like 'Pulp Fiction', 'Die Hard 3', 'A Time to Kill', 'Dangerous Liaisons', 'The Negotiator', 'Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace', 'Unbreakable', 'Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones', 'Kill Bill 2', etc.

He is actually quite unlucky; later he once signed a ten-plus film contract with Marvel, and the salary was only a little over 1 million...

When he appeared as the S. H. I. E. L. D. director in 'The Avengers', his salary was still over 1 million. With so many film contracts all at once, I don't know how the salary problem was solved later.

For the lead actor's father-in-law, Columbia chose Ian McKellen, who is Gandalf in 'The Lord of the Rings' and Magneto in 'X-Men'.

This way, all the main roles of 'District 9', except for the one given to the Chinese person, have been selected.

The lead actor is the new Oscar Best Actor Depp.

The nominal lead actress is the new Oscar Best Actress Charlize Theron.

The lead actor's father-in-law, which is the leader of the multinational joint organization, is Ian McKellen.

The gang leader is Samuel L. Jackson.

This lineup has already thrown the original 'District 9' nine streets away; the original 'District 9' didn't have a single famous actor.

The director is also Cao Yang, who is red-hot in Hollywood recently; the original director was still a nobody when filming 'District 9'.

No matter how you look at it, as long as it's not filmed poorly, the box office will definitely exceed the original.

Just when Cao Yang was preparing to return to China, Fox Searchlight came over to negotiate again.

It can be seen that they really want the adaptation rights for 'Zhu Nuo'.

This time there was no polite talk; they gave Cao Yang 18% of the global box office and subsequent peripheral profit-sharing as soon as they opened their mouths, but they wanted Cao Yang to write the script and also serve as producer and executive producer.

Cao Yang refused.

Fox Searchlight saw Cao Yang was unwilling and changed to another way of cooperation.

They can give 20% of the global box office and subsequent peripheral profit-sharing. Besides wanting Cao Yang to write the script and serve as producer, they also want Cao Yang to be the director and direct this film.

Cao Yang is a bit hesitant; isn't this making things difficult for people? I have a project in hand now; where would I have time to direct 'Zhu Nuo'?

(End of chapter)